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Unearthing: meaning, definitions and examples

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unearthing

 

[ʌnˈəːθɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

archaeological discovery

Unearthing is the process of uncovering something buried, especially something of historical or archaeological significance. It involves carefully excavating the ground to reveal artifacts, fossils, or structures that have been hidden for a long time. Unearthing also involves documenting and preserving the findings for further study and analysis.

Synonyms

digging up, excavating, revealing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unearthing

This term is used when discovering something hidden or bringing something to light, often after it has been forgotten or buried. It is commonly used metaphorically as well.

  • The historian is unearthing new information about the ancient civilization.
  • She spent years unearthing the truth behind her family's past.
excavating

This word is specifically used in archeology or construction when systematically removing earth to find buried objects or prepare the ground for building. It is not commonly used metaphorically.

  • The team is excavating the ancient ruins to uncover artifacts.
  • Excavating the site took several months due to the delicate nature of the findings.
digging up

This term is often used in a literal sense to describe the action of removing something from the ground. It can also be used metaphorically to describe discovering or finding information, but may carry a slightly negative connotation if implying prying or snooping.

  • They are digging up the backyard to install a new swimming pool.
  • The journalist is digging up dirt on the political candidate.
revealing

This term is used when showing something that was previously hidden or unknown, often involving information, secrets, or insights. It can be used both in literal and metaphorical contexts.

  • The magician was revealing his tricks to the amazed audience.
  • The investigation is revealing a lot about the company's illegal activities.

Examples of usage

  • Archaeologists spent months unearthing the ancient ruins of a lost civilization.
  • The team of researchers is unearthing valuable artifacts from the burial site.
  • After days of excavation, they finally succeeded in unearthing the dinosaur skeleton.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'unearthian,' meaning to bring something from the earth.
  • It combines 'un-' which means 'not' or 'reverse' and 'earth' referring to the ground.

Archaeology

  • Unearthing is a key process in archaeology, helping explore ancient civilizations by digging up artifacts.
  • Excavations have revealed massive structures like the Pyramids of Giza, showcasing the skill of early engineers.

Literature

  • The theme of unearthing often appears in literature, symbolizing the discovery of hidden truths or secrets.
  • In many novels, characters go on quests that involve uncovering lost knowledge or ancient relics.

Pop Culture

  • Films like 'Indiana Jones' emphasize the excitement of unearthing treasures and solving historical mysteries.
  • TV shows often feature unearthing concepts, where hosts reveal forgotten histories behind everyday objects.

Science

  • In paleontology, unearthing fossils helps scientists understand the history of life on Earth.
  • Environmental studies often involve unearthing samples from the ground to study pollution and ancient climates.

Translations

Translations of the word "unearthing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escavação

🇮🇳 खोज

🇩🇪 Ausgrabung

🇮🇩 penggalian

🇺🇦 розкопки

🇵🇱 wykopaliska

🇯🇵 発掘

🇫🇷 excavation

🇪🇸 excavación

🇹🇷 kazı

🇰🇷 발굴

🇸🇦 اكتشاف

🇨🇿 vykopávky

🇸🇰 vykopávky

🇨🇳 挖掘

🇸🇮 izkopavanje

🇮🇸 uppgröftur

🇰🇿 қазба жұмыстары

🇬🇪 ამოღება

🇦🇿 qazıntı

🇲🇽 excavación

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,996 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.